Wednesday, 2 December 2015

The protest by pro-Biafra groups took another dimension on Wednesday leading to the burning down of Onitsha Central Mosque. Four of Dangote’s supply trucks were not spared and have also been burnt.

The protest equally claimed some lives in Onitsha Anambra State.

It was learnt that trouble started when members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, clashed with security agents.

While it was alleged that some of the protesters were armed against the security operatives, MASSOB leaders claims the violent youths were sponsored by the Federal Government.

In a statement made available to journalists in Enugu, the acting leader of MASSOB faction, Mr. Uchenna Madu said “the setting of Onitsha central mosque, vehicles ablaze and making of burning fires, which depict violence were not done by members of IPOB or MASSOB under my leadership.

“This unwarranted acts of violence are perfected by hoodlums sponsored by agents of Federal Government to create impression that we are not non-violent, hence they sponsored violence against us.”

Madu added that “we have been on this peaceful demonstration and protest for over a month without any act of violence. How can we now resort to violence now that we are told that the presidency is about negotiating with leaders of pro Biafra groups?”

On the move by the South-East Governors to commence dialogue with the protesting groups, he said “with today’s killing of our members and injuring many with bullet shots, we are no longer comfortable with presidency’s move for dialogue, the dialogue is hypocritical and deceitful.

“Any Igbo group, organization and persons negotiating. Or meeting with the presidency on our behalf without our consent or mandate should stop now.

“MASSOB led by Comrade Uchenna Madu and the IPOB led by Nnamdi Kanu have never mandated any person to negotiate for us. Even in this persecution, arrest, killings, clampdown suppression against us by Nigeria govt, we shall continue and intensify our non-violent agitation for Biafra.

“For Nigeria to release their armed forces against non-violent and defenceless Biafra agitators shows the wickedness and devilish mind of President Buhari against our people.”